Recently while going through totes in my basement to clean it up and organize it, I found the 160a Police alternator that I've had stashed away for about 8 years. It tested OK at Advance way back when and I'll have it tested again just to be sure, but assuming it still tests OK I want to get it on the car. Before doing so, it needs to be cleaned up to remove years of dirt and grime, restore the rusty pulley and clean up the casing.
Curious if anyone has tips for doing this safely and effectively. I've watched a few YouTube videos where folks used some degreaser with a soft bristle brushing to generally clean the casing and windings, and a wire brush drill attachment to polish the casing (not looking for a mirror polish, just clean it up to look fresh and new).
One thing these videos did not address was the appropriate cleaner to use that won't harm the protective coating on the windings, and whether attacking it with a wire wheel will damage it by dropping tiny metal shavings inside the alternator.
Any thoughts? I did go into the KB and read through Craigs write-up for dismantling a Nippondenso alternator, but I'd like to avoid doing that if I can, outside of removing the pulley to clean up and restore it.
Current thought is to find a good biodegradable degreaser to gently brush the windings clean from the outside, zip off the pulley to wire brush and repaint it, and wire wheel the casing the best I can (after removing the rear cover to avoid damaging it).
I plan to clean it up in my basement in a makeshift parts cleaner, then come Spring repeat the wire wheeling on my valve covers, timing housing, thorough cleaning in the valley while the plenum is off, clean up and repaint timing covers, and reassemble with newly painted plenum, to get the engine looking as new and spiffy as possible. Tired of it looking old and dirty.
Curious if anyone has tips for doing this safely and effectively. I've watched a few YouTube videos where folks used some degreaser with a soft bristle brushing to generally clean the casing and windings, and a wire brush drill attachment to polish the casing (not looking for a mirror polish, just clean it up to look fresh and new).
One thing these videos did not address was the appropriate cleaner to use that won't harm the protective coating on the windings, and whether attacking it with a wire wheel will damage it by dropping tiny metal shavings inside the alternator.
Any thoughts? I did go into the KB and read through Craigs write-up for dismantling a Nippondenso alternator, but I'd like to avoid doing that if I can, outside of removing the pulley to clean up and restore it.
Current thought is to find a good biodegradable degreaser to gently brush the windings clean from the outside, zip off the pulley to wire brush and repaint it, and wire wheel the casing the best I can (after removing the rear cover to avoid damaging it).
I plan to clean it up in my basement in a makeshift parts cleaner, then come Spring repeat the wire wheeling on my valve covers, timing housing, thorough cleaning in the valley while the plenum is off, clean up and repaint timing covers, and reassemble with newly painted plenum, to get the engine looking as new and spiffy as possible. Tired of it looking old and dirty.
EasyRider300M liked this
LUNA
2002 Chrysler 300M Special - Deep Sapphire Blue/Storm Gray Metallic - 142,000 miles
The fleet
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara | 2020 Dodge Durango R/T AWD | 1929 Ford Model A Tudor
